Chamber Recital

Tonight, I was with CT for a classical concert - a Chamber Recital at St. Mark's, Hamilton Terrace. Regular tickets from TicketSource. Looking at the area, I saw a restaurant called Thai Rice and figured - it's a while since I ate Thai, I'll give it a shot!

It didn't stop lashing rain all day, so the priority was to avoid walking. The closest station - to both the restaurant and the church - is Maida Vale, on the Bakerloo Line - which I could catch from Elephant & Castle, which I could get a bus to. I had to take the Tube, it's too far to get buses all the way. So that's what I did - and the Tube, as expected, was crowded and stuffy. Also a very long way - but I was starting at the terminus, so got a seat without trouble. And I had the paper to read. The line is part suspended - but only at the outskirts; I was fine.

Alighting in Maida Vale, I looked in dismay at the rain, still pouring down outside. Happily, my restaurant was just across the road. I hadn't been able to book, but they had plenty of space. The adjoining table was occupied by two middle-aged men who, by their conversation, transpired to be journalists.. don't think I share all their political views, but then I wasn't going to intrude!

(Note the convenient cutlery container at the side of the table.) Well, I thought I'd try chicken spring rolls to start - for main course, I considered pad thai, which I really like: but I wanted something with a bit more flavour, so decided to go for a curry. They have several types - red, green, yellow - and massaman. The latter, I'd never had before, and it sounded tasty - made with coconut, and featuring cashew nuts. I ordered that (with chicken) - considered having noodles with it, but plumped for the more conventional rice. And a glass of wine - glad to see they do have large glasses here, which a lot of Asian restaurants don't!

The spring rolls were a mistake - heavy on the veg, which I didn't like. Completely different to the Chinese version - I hadn't had the Thai version before, and won't be having it again. And to think, I could have had prawn crackers.. Service throughout was attentive, and the lady in charge noticed I wasn't eating. So she came over and asked whether the starter was ok, and when I hesitated, asked whether I just wanted the main course straight away. Which I agreed to, gratefully. Wow, that was a revelation - I was right, it was delicious! I have a new favourite Thai dish.. lovely and sweet, and the cashew nuts a terrific addition. Plenty of meat too, buried in the sauce.. I scoffed the lot, and could have had more. Except I had a concert to get to. Would happily come back here again, though.

It was still pouring outside - I got absolutely drenched on the five-minute walk to the church. Which, I discovered, was completely fenced off for renovations! I was just pondering where to go when a guy in waterproofs appeared, asked whether I was going to the concert, and directed me further up past the church, to what turned out to be the church hall. Where the nice lady on the desk took my word for it that I had a ticket, gave me a free programme, and told me to sit anywhere! So I did, leaving my sodden coat on the floor, where it made little puddles.

Two performers - one with an English accent, a Scottish name, and a violin, the other Cuban, with a guitar. The programme comprised dance music - there was some Piazzolla in there, and some very attractive pieces by Bartók. But as usual if there's Spanish music on offer, that was what captivated me. In this case, it was Suite Populaire Espagnole, by Manuel de Falla - the lullaby literally brought me to tears. The pity was that they only performed five of the seven.. and I could have done without the self-conscious introduction to this section! Still though, what an enjoyable evening.. coming home, I took the Bakerloo again, then switched to the Jubilee, to get closer to home, taking a bus for the last stretch - it really was still lashing! Again, I got drenched popping to the nearby shop..

Tomorrow, it's film - and I got enough of the film list done to come up with Phantom Parrot, a documentary about the unusual powers granted to UK Border Police. Q+A afterwards. Curzon Bloomsbury, of course - and already mostly booked out, so I booked. Funnily enough, although I'm still entitled to four free films, I couldn't see how to avail of that! so ended up just getting a discount instead. Will normally not be booking in advance, so should be less of an issue, with staff to help..

On Friday, The Hideout: Horror Sci-Fi Club London are off to see Hellraiser (yes, the remastered original) at the Prince Charles, heading to Clubhouse 5 after. Which prompted me to check out the film list - but you know, I simply couldn't see anything more fun on it! And it's about time I saw this, even if I don't like the book. So I'll be joining them.

On Saturday, back at last with the London Classical Music and Theatre Group, for Mahler's Resurrection, at the Royal Festival Hall.

On Sunday, delighted to be with Buddies on a Budget in London - rarely do I get the chance - for the Pearly Kings & Queens Harvest Festival, at the Guildhall!

And on Monday, I'm with London Baroque Music Lovers for a chamber music concert at Wigmore Hall.